In the storied history of Kentucky basketball, no player had ever been considered the nation’s best in that season.
Until now.
Freshman Anthony Davis continued his run of national player of the year awards by accepting the Associated Press honor on Friday.
He beat Kansas’ Thomas Robinson for the honor. Davis received 43 votes, Robinson 20 and Michigan State’s Draymond Green two. The voting occurred before the NCAA Tournament began.
Davis, whose Wildcats take on Louisville in a national semifinal on Saturday, becomes the second freshman to win the honor. Texas’ Kevin Durant won the 2007 AP award.
Kentucky won seven NCAA championships and produced a slew of excellent players. Some, like Ralph Beard, Alex Groza and Bill Spivey played before national players of the year were identified.
— Reported by Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star
